Koshu (grape) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Koshu |
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|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
Koshu grape
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| Color of berry skin | Red |
| Species | Vitis vinifera |
| Notable regions | Koshu Valley |
| Wine characteristics | |
| Cool climate | citrus, peach and jasmine. |
Koshu (甲州 kōshū) is a special type of grape grown mostly in Japan. It is mainly found in the Koshu Valley in Yamanashi Prefecture. These grapes are used to make a unique kind of white wine.
For a long time, people thought Koshu grapes came only from Europe. But now we know they are a mix! They grew naturally from European grapes and some types of grapes from East Asia. The name 'Koshu' comes from an old name for the Yamanashi area. It is also the name of the main town where most Koshu grapes are grown today.
What Makes Koshu Grapes Special?
Koshu grapes have some cool features. When made into wine, it usually has a pale, light yellow color, like straw. It smells soft and fruity, with hints of citrus fruits like lemon, sweet peach, and even jasmine flowers.
The taste of Koshu wine is clean, light, and fresh. Many people think it pairs very well with traditional Japanese food.
Where Koshu Grapes Are Grown
The story of modern winemaking in Yamanashi began in the late 1800s. That is when the first proper winery was built there. A winery is a place where grapes are turned into wine.
After the middle of the 1900s, making Japanese Wine from local grapes grew a lot. Today, there are more than 80 wineries in Yamanashi Prefecture. They produce about 40% of all the wine made in Japan. Also, 95% of all Koshu grapes in Japan are grown in Yamanashi.
